Improvement in grain-testing devices



J. N. STACY. Grain-Testing Device.

N0. 217,165. Patented July 1, 1879.

Wine-swam. In'WmZI/r;

tester. a horizontal section on line :0 m, Fig. 2.

a measure A, their rims being UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

. JAMES N. STACY, OF MONTIOELLO, MINNESOTA.

IMPROVEMENT IN GRAIN-TESTING DEVICES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 217,165, dated July 1, 1879 applicationfiled April 14, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES N. STACY, of Monticello, in the county of Wright and State of Minnesota, have'invented certain new and useful Improvements in Grain-Testin g Devices 5 and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the devices for measuring or testing wheat and other grain, in order to ascertain its quality, grade, and value.

Figure l is a side elevationof my improved Fig. 2 is a vertical section. Fig. 3 is Fig. 4 is a top-plan view.

In the drawings, A represents the testing or measuring vessel, and B the hopper or fillingvessel, which are of the same diameter, and preferably both are cylindrical.

The hopper B is placed on the top of the adapted to fit closely together. They are hinged together by means of a rod, 0, secured to and project ing above the measure A, and a sleeve or socket, D, upon the filling-vessel B, into which the rod 0 is inserted. The filling-vessel or hopper B is divided by partition or diaphragm, E, situated at its lower part. This diaphragm is conical, narrowing downward to the center, where it is provided with an aperture, e.

F represents a slide arranged to close the aperture 0. Preferably it is pivoted to the wall .of the hopper or below the diaphragm, as shown at e.

G is a rod pivoted to the slide, and extend ing through the wall of the hopper, whereby the slide can be reciprocated beneath the aperture c to open or close it at will. 7 H is also a conical partition or diaphragm in the hopper, tapering upward toward the center, where it is provided with an aperture, h, corresponding to aperture 0.

When the devices described are to be used to test grain, the hopper B is placed upon the measure A and attached thereto by means of rod 0 and socket D. The hopper is closed by the slide 1, and is then filled with grain. The slide is again withdrawn, and the grain passes into the vessel A until the latter is full, after which the aperture is closed, and the grain in the measure is separated from that in the hopper. The hopper is then swung around upon' the pivot-rod G, as shown in Fig. 4, and as it is swung around it strikes off the surplus grain in the measure, and leaves it evenly full. After this the hopper is detached from the vessel A, which is then weighed, it being provided, preferably, with a handle, I, and hook K, for supporting it when the weighing is to be done by steelyards.

It will be seen that by means of the conical diaphragm E and the conical chamber below the diaphragm H it is insured that the grain shall be distributed uniformly to all parts of the vessel A, and that said vessel shall be complctely filled.

It is well known that in testing wheat and other grain with the devices now ordinarily used it is possible to manipulate the article to be tested so that its weight shall vary to a limited extent and, further, that when the grain is placed in the measuring-vessel in the ordinarymanner, it tends to enter and pack therein unevenly, and thus prevent an accurate test, which depends upon a true relation between the bulk and weight of the grain.

These difficulties are entirely obviated by my improved tester, which insures that the grain shall flow evenly and uniformly to the measure, and strikes it off with unvarying accuracy; and as the whole operation is carried on within closed vessels, it is impossible toimproperly manipulate the grain.

What I claim is- 1. The combination,inagrain-tester, of the measuring-vessel A and the filling-vessel B, when hinged or pivoted together as shown at O D, so that the filling-vessel shall rest upon and inclose the top of the measuring-vessel, and be adapted to swing on the pivot in con tact with said measuring-vessel, substantially as set forth.

2. The filling-vessel B, provided with the upwardly-flaring diaphragm E and the down- In testimony that I claim the foregoing as Wardly-flaring diaphragm H, substantially as my own I affix my signature in presence of set forth. two Witnesses.

3. In combination. with the filling-vessel B, provided with the diaphragms E and H, the J AMES N.- STACY. plate F, pivoted at one point to the vessel, and at another point to the longitmlinally-sliding WVitnesses: rod G, substantially as and for the purposes WILLIAM POR'IEN, set forth. EDWARD In. SANBORN. 

